A Day in Chester — Coffee, Squirrels, and Pierogi
A family- and dog-friendly day in Chester with beautiful walks, cosy cafés, and a taste of home.
We arrived in Chester on a bright autumn morning. The air was crisp and cool, the kind that reminds you that winter is not far away. We parked our camper at Little Roodee Car Park 📍, a safe and spacious spot with room even for larger vans. The parking costs around £9 for the whole day, and it is only a short walk to the city centre. After a few minutes of sorting out jackets and dog leads, we were ready to explore.
We followed the river into town, passing boats, joggers, and families out for their morning walks. The sunlight reflected off the water, and the whole place had that quiet, peaceful feeling of an early day.
Our first stop was the Grosvenor Park 🌲. It was truly beautiful — wide paths, old trees, and more squirrels than people. The girls ran ahead, laughing and chasing each other, while the dogs watched the squirrels with wide eyes. We kept them on their leads; I am never sure whether they want to play or hunt! Still, the park was full of life and colour, and we could have stayed there for hours.
After some time, we wandered toward the centre. The streets of Chester are full of charm — timbered buildings, little shops, and artists playing music on the corners. In the main square, a young woman was singing. Her voice was soft and strong at the same time, and soon a small crowd gathered around her. It felt like the whole street paused for a moment to listen.
Later, we stopped for coffee at 200 Degrees Coffee Shop ☕️. It is one of those places that feels warm as soon as you walk in — friendly staff, soft music, and the smell of roasted beans in the air. The best part was that it was dog-friendly, so we could rest together, dogs sleeping under the table while we enjoyed our drinks.
From there, we kept walking through the narrow streets, admiring the old architecture and window displays. We had planned to find pizza for lunch, but life had other ideas. Quite by accident, we came across a small Polish pierogarnia 🍽️. The owner greeted us like old friends, and it felt instantly like home. The pierogi were some of the best I have ever eaten, soft and perfectly seasoned. The girls loved them too, and we all left smiling.
We spent the rest of the day wandering, taking photos, and enjoying the late afternoon sun. Chester has that lovely balance of history and calm — a busy town that still feels peaceful when you walk through its parks and riverside paths.
By evening, the light turned golden and the air became cooler. We slowly made our way back to the camper, tired but happy. The dogs curled up, the girls chatted about their favourite parts of the day, and I felt that quiet kind of joy that comes after a simple, beautiful day.
Plan your visit — Chester
📍 Parking: Little Roodee Car Park — £9/day, safe for campervans, short walk to city centre.
🐾 Dog-friendly stops: Grosvenor Park, 200 Degrees Coffee Shop, Handmade Polish Dumplings (small but very welcoming).
☕ Favourite moment: Warm coffee after the park walk.
🎶 Do not miss: The street singer near the main square.
🌿 Good to know: Chester is a lovely city to visit with dogs — just remember leads in the park, as the squirrels are everywhere.